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Author Topic: Positive vibes, good news thread!  (Read 65431 times)

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Offline Organic

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Positive vibes, good news thread!
« on: April 22, 2007, 08:31:47 AM »
These days bad news abounds. This thread is devoted to any positive news the forumites may encounter. even from your personal experinces. The first story may seem insignificant to some in the grand scheme of the Virginia Tech tragedy, iraq war and crime in trinidad. Its important to remeber that every lil good deed may prevent a tragedy.

Woman rescued!!

A STRANGER risked his life to save a woman who was dragged into a car and was about to be raped.

The man was driving along Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, when he passed a gold coloured Nissan B-12 and saw a man fighting to keep a woman from jumping out of the moving car yesterday.

The front passenger door was open and the woman had a leg outside of the car. The driver of the B-12 drove of and the man chased him up Abercromby Street.

On reaching the Ministry of National Security, the man pulled in front of the B-12 and blocked the car.

He then raised an alarm and police from the ministry rushed out and held the driver of the B-12.

The woman said she was standing at the side of the road when the man forced her into his car and told her he was going to rape her.

The man has been arrested.
Sunday, April 22nd 2007
trinidad express
Perhaps the epitome of a Trinidadian is the child in the third row class with a dark skin and crinkly plaits who looks at you out of decidedly Chinese eyes and announces herself as Jacqueline Maharaj.- Merle Hodge

Offline Jumbie

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Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2009, 06:42:59 AM »
With all the negative things that are posted here about the reality that is now Trinidad and Tobago, I think it's time we start posting some of the positives. Feel free to add!

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/06/26/girl-pm-s-old-school-tops-sea

Girl from PM’s old school tops in SEA
Yvonne Webb
Published: 26 Jun 2009



Jamelia Forde, of San Fernando Girls’ Government Primary School, has topped the Secondary Entrance Assessment examination. The school was previously known as the San Fernando Government School before it was split into boys’ and girls’ schools. This is the primary school Prime Minister Patrick Manning attended. Forde, of Pleasantville, is one of two students who received 217 out of 218 marks in the examination which was written on March 26. She passed for her first choice Naparima Girls’ High School.

The other student, whose name was not revealed, is from the Dyanand Memorial Vedic School, Penal. At her home, Forde who was still in a state of disbelief, said she was happy and proud to pass for Naparima Girls’. She said her dream was to be a forensic scientist.
Forde’s proud mother Diane said her daughter prayed hard, studied hard and it paid off in the end. Principal Lorna Ramsey said the result was not surprising since there were many bright students at her school, including Forde, whom she described as a dark horse in the race.

“For years the denominational schools had been topping the list in the SEA examination, but Jamelia’s success had dispelled that misnomer,” Ramsey said. “Comparatively speaking, we have done as well as our previous years.” She said 43 students wrote the SEA and the majority of them placed for their first choice. In terms of the text messaging and on-line methods of accessing SEA results, Ramsey said that did not affect her school. However, principal of Grant Memorial Presbyterian School Barbara Sukhu said the text messaging and on-line results, “took away some of the joy out of it.” Sukhu’s school obtained 100 per cent pass 75 per cent of which passed for their first choice.

Offline Andre

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2009, 08:29:36 AM »
i like how the ministry of education sending results via text message now.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161497231

back in my day u had to strain yuh eyes in the papers and when you cyah find it...OH LORD!...wha trade ah go learn?

Offline weary1969

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2009, 06:14:44 PM »
i like how the ministry of education sending results via text message now.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161497231

back in my day u had to strain yuh eyes in the papers and when you cyah find it...OH LORD!...wha trade ah go learn?

check moe.gov.tt
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Offline WestCoast

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2009, 06:25:59 PM »
nice Positive news....
                           Positive

i like how the ministry of education sending results via text message now.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161497231

back in my day u had to strain yuh eyes in the papers and when you cyah find it...OH LORD!...wha trade ah go learn?

check moe.gov.tt
the Alphabetical results in pdf
SEA Results (Listed Alphabetically by Surname)
Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it thoroughly, not superficially. Go to the bottom of things. Any thing half done, or half known, is in my mind, neither done nor known at all. Nay, worse, for it often misleads.
Lord Chesterfield
(1694 - 1773)

Offline weary1969

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2009, 07:23:39 PM »
nice Positive news....
                           Positive

i like how the ministry of education sending results via text message now.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161497231

back in my day u had to strain yuh eyes in the papers and when you cyah find it...OH LORD!...wha trade ah go learn?

check moe.gov.tt
the Alphabetical results in pdf
SEA Results (Listed Alphabetically by Surname)

YESSSSSSSSSSS MACOIN MAKE EASY
Today you're the dog, tomorrow you're the hydrant - so be good to others - it comes back!"

Offline Andre

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2009, 10:31:50 PM »
allyuh leave the people chirren alone nah.

Offline fishs

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2009, 12:13:27 AM »

 I say yuh win play whe and buy burglar proofing oui
Ah want de woman on de bass

Offline mal jeux

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New home for mom, 4 kids
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2009, 05:37:43 AM »
A MOTHER of four, who considered offering them for adoption after their eviction two months ago, has found a place to live.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has given Andrea Duncan a two-bedroom apartment in San Fernando.

For the past two months, Duncan's home has been a church, which opened its doors to her and children Dillon, 12, Daniel, 10, Dillia, six, and two-year-old Isaac Crichlow.

Duncan, a single mother, had lived in a single-room shack at Marigold Street, Siparia, for ten months before being turned out on the streets.

Duncan, 31, a clothing vendor, said she was relieved when handed the keys to her new home on Monday.

"I am so happy not only for me but for my children, because now I know that they'll be safe and we would not have to think about moving and being evicted from a place where we could not call home," she said.

Duncan was thankful for the support.

"I do not have enough thank yous for everyone, especially the ones who gave me a place to stay, who called to give me words of encouragement and even the ones who assisted me financially through my time of need," Duncan said.

Although she has not yet moved into her new home, Duncan said she was also grateful and thankful for the efforts by the HDC in assisting with getting a home for her family.



Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161497858
"How many times do I have to flush before you go away?"

Offline Jumbie

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New crime-busting unit to hit streets
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2009, 05:27:44 AM »
Expect to see, from tomorrow, cops on bicycles, on motorcycles and on foot patrol, and some even dressed casually in short pants, patrolling the streets of Trinidad and Tobago, hunting for law breakers, even the average man littering the streets. The 250-strong special unit, trained in two weeks, will hit the streets in areas throughout the country from 7 am, in the Government’s latest effort to arrest escalating crime levels in the country.

The new multi-million-dollar crime-fighting strategy, aimed at reducing robberies, murders and other violent and serious crimes, will be under the direct command of acting Police Commissioner James Philbert. The officers will be dressed in civilian clothing combing the streets for litterbugs, errant motorists, snatchers, robbers, illegal vending, arms and ammunition, narcotics and wanted suspects.

Their main objective is to assist in reducing crime and road accidents by ten per cent. Road blocks are expected to be conducted on a regular basis.
The officers will operate on three different shifts: 7 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 11 pm, and 11 pm to 7 am. The unit has been outfitted with guns, ammunition, bulletproof and utility vests, batons, torchlights, new marked and unmarked police vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and WT sets, among other resources.

Too many units

Their vehicles will feature state-of-the-art equipment, including laptop computers, and they will also benefit from continuous training up to December. The squad, which is being referred to as a Special Task Force Unit, will operate in teams of ten to 13, using the American system of having partners. Officers for the unit were selected from Special Reserve Police (SRPs) and others who were recently absorbed into the service.

They were hand-picked from various police stations, and interviewed by ACP Raymond Craig. Their headquarters is adjacent to the Chaguanas Fire Station. The officers have undergone intense training at the Police Academy in St James, in areas such as case separation, court procedures, anger and stress management, traffic duties and dangerous drugs.

Philbert visited the officers last week, and told them they were an important asset to the country. In another attempt to bolster the Police Service’s human resource, hundreds of applicants flocked the Police Training Academy yesterday to write the SRP examinations. Senior officers already have criticised the new unit, saying it would further deplete the strength at the various police stations.

Speaking with the Sunday Guardian on the condition of anonymity, one officer said one of the major problems faced by the service, was there were too many units. Concerned senior officers also said the additional units were creating exorbitant overtime bills for “doing very little.” “That is where the problem comes in. Every time things get out of control, you are hearing about a new unit.

“I think they should disband all the units and augment the strength at various stations, so the work could be done much more effectively,” the lawman said. Another senior cop said, “For instance, look at the Besson Street CID. “They are in dire need of more detectives, since they are responsible for some of the country’s major crime spots, Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots and East Port-of-Spain.

Robbery decrease

“Sometimes, there are only two officers in the charge room, and I think all the resources, including human, in some of the special units, should be re-directed to stations like Besson Street, if we are serious about dealing with the uncontrollable crime situation.”

Checks at Besson Street CID revealed there was an inspector, a sergeant, two corporals and five constables. During a press conference Thursday, acting Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes, hinted that a unit was in the making to help arrest the crime situation.

“What we are seeing is an increase in the number of robberies taking place in T&T, and especially those resulting in homicides. “In the near future, you will observe a lot of activities taking place throughout our streets and the country, resulting in a decrease in robberies, because we are concerned with the robberies.”


Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/06/28/new-crime-busting-unit-hit-streets

Offline Brownsugar

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2009, 05:53:35 AM »
hhhhhmmmm.....just have to wait and see.... :-\
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline dcs

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2009, 10:11:28 AM »
hhhhhmmmm.....just have to wait and see.... :-\

yeah people who know about this may behave themselves for the week to see how it going.
Sounds good though...is just 2 weeks but at least they out there and the training is continuous.  Whatever criticism that sure to come there way in the beginning about they operate...hopefully they have the flexibility to adjust to improve their effectiveness.

Offline weary1969

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2009, 09:35:45 PM »
$24M project to help underprivileged women
By HERMAN ROOP DASS Monday, June 29 2009

THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR in the country will benefit tremendously from the assets of young underprivileged women from rural communities who are exposed to relevant training.

This was revealed by the Caribbean Education Association (CEA) when the organisation opened the first phase of its Lantana Height Hospitality School, Gran Couva, on Saturday.

The location is on the Central Range overlooking the former sugar cane lands and encompasses some 45 acres of cocoa estate at San Coco Road, Grand Couva.

Gregory O’Young, an official of the CEA, acting as spokesman for the project, told the gathering that the CEA is a non profit voluntary organisation that was founded in 1982 with the “object of reducing poverty and unemployment through the development of the

nation’s youth regardless of race, social background or religious persuasion.”

O’Young said the first phase of the $24 million project was partly “funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands in conjunction with Srudernten Voor Ontwikkeling (SVO), an NGO that encourages students of the Netherlands to become involved in educational projects in the developing world.”

The first assignment “consists of a multi purpose lecture room and two training kitchens.”

Young women between the ages of 16-20 are targeted for training. The CEA expects to conduct at least six (6) eight-week training sessions annually with as much as 20 persons attending each session.

O’Young said that very “often these women have no proper training or qualification to enter or compete for the traditional jobs in the work forces.” O’Young hoped that in the final analysis” the ripple effects of the project could create family oriented cottage industries.”

He said the estate would also be used to plant crops from which the profits obtained would be ploughed back into the institution.”

He is appealing for assistance to repair the road leading to the facility.

 
 
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Offline assrancid

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Offline Jumbie

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John-Williams, Homer splash to Gold
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2009, 05:02:57 AM »
Kimberlee John-Williams and Christian Homer both won swimming gold medals to open T&T’s account at the 26th Caribbean and Central American and Confederations (CCCAN) Aquatic Championship, in Barquisimeto City, Lara, Venezuela on Tuesday night.

On the first night of swimming finals at the Bolivarianas Swimming Pool, John-Williams and Homer, two of T&T’s multi-gold medals winners from the 2007 edition of the Championship in El Salvador, won gold in their respective 50 metres age-group backstroke finals. First to win precious metal for T&T was John-Williams who touched the wall first in winning the 13-14 girls 50 metres backstroke in 31.19 seconds.

The 50-plus T&T supporters, only had to wait four more events to see another gold medal performance, this time by Homer, an eight-time gold medallist in 2007. The England-based Homer sped home in the 15-17 boys 50 metres backstroke final in 27.05 seconds followed by countryman Cadell Lyons who clocked, 28.10. T&T also picked up two other silver medals and two bronze to end the first day with seven medals and in third spot on the 20-team medal table.

Dylan Carter, T&T’s star at the Carifta Games held earlier this year in Aruba with nine individual gold medals had to settle for a silver in the 11-12 boys 50 metres backstroke in 30.71 seconds to trail Venezuelan winner, Andres Doria (29.84). Venezuelan Ricardo Fagundez won the 13-14 boys 50 metres backstroke in 29.48 followed by the T&T duo of Joshua Romany (29.61) and Keegan Boisson-Yates (29.66).

Joshua Mc Leod was T&T’s other medal winner on the night a bronze in the 18 & Over boys 50 metres backstroke final in 28.69 seconds to trail gold medallist Victor Lugo (Venezuela) who clocked 27.86, and Costa Rican, Mario Montoya who got silver in 28.58. Anthony Edwards who also competed in the 18-and-over backstroke final was sixth home in 29.50. Overall, host Venezuela, the defending champions and favourites to repeat as winners won 26 medals on the first night (11 gold, nine silver and six bronze) to lead all teams.

Guatemala is next with seven medals (three gold, one silver, three bronze) followed by T&T, Barbados (two gold, two silver, one bronze), Mexico (two gold, one silver, five bronze) and El Salvador, with two gold medals. Venezuela also leads the points table with 269 points well ahead of second placed T&T (92) while Mexico and Guatemala are next with 84 and 80 respectively after one day of swimming.

Yesterday, the T&T team returned to the pool and enjoyed a relatively good second morning’s preliminary heats with 20 members of the local squad securing places in the finals of the 200 metres backstroke, 50 metres butterfly and 200 metres individual medley gold medal events which were due to come off last night. In the 200 metres backstroke, Jonathan Gonzales qualified as the third fastest in the 11-12 boys final with a morning preliminary heats time of two minutes, 34.73 seconds.

John-Williams was fourth in the 13-14 girls 200m backstroke heats in two minutes, 39.29 seconds while Boisson-Yates was sixth fastest in the boys equivalent in two minutes, 28.85 seconds. Samantha Rahael (2:34.35 mins) and Jonathan Cabral (2:22.86 mins) were sixth and eight in their respective 15-17 girls and boys morning preliminary splashes.

Head coach Mark Pouchet must have been a very pleased man as 10 swimmers advanced to the finals of the 50 metres butterfly events. Carter moved into medal contention in the 11-12 age-group with a seventh placed finish in the heats in 29.65 seconds while Christopher Greene was eighth, in 30.29 seconds.

In the 13-14 boys and girls age-group, Boisson-Yates was seventh in 28.14 seconds. and John-Williams, fifth in 31.44 seconds ahead of the finals. Lyons was the lone T&T swimmer to qualify first among the heats yesterday, when he won the 15-17 boys 50 metres butterfly in 25.40 and Homer was second, in 25.96. Laverne Maxwell qualified for the 15-17 girls gold medal event after she reached the wall in fifth spot in 30.71.

The three T&T swimmers who will go after podium finishes in the 18-and-over age-group finals are Kimba Collymore (fourth in heats in 30.29), and the boys duo of Joshua Mc Leod (second in heats in 25.62) and Jarryd Gregoire (third in heats in 25.97). The quintet of Carter (fourth in 2:32.58 mins), Gonzales (sixth in 2:36.73 mins), Joshua Romany (sixth in 2:24.95 mins), Boisson-Yates (eight in 2:25.57), and Collymore (fourth in 2:35.73 mins) all qualified for finals in the 200 metres individual medley.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/sports/other-sports/2009/07/02/john-williams-homer-splash-gold

Offline Jumbie

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Lara, Bravo cousins and cricketers
« Reply #15 on: July 03, 2009, 05:26:48 AM »
If it's role models our children are looking for....



T&T’s newest batting star Darren Bravo doesn’t try to emulate Brian Lara, but it’s simply genetic. The dashing 20-year-old Bravo, who just made his International debut for the West Indies, is actually a cousin of the legendary former West Indies and T&T batsman, and his mother wants people to know her son is not trying to copy Brian.

“Brian’s (Lara) mother is my father’s sister. So we are first cousins,” said Earlene Bravo while speaking in an interview on the Line & Length Network. “I was on a taxi in Jamaica on the way to cricket and the guy didn’t know who I was. Darren was just going out to bat and the guy kept saying ‘why this guy trying to be like Lara?’ and I was so annoyed,” she quipped. “From when he was young, he had those antics just like Brian, it’s in his genes,” she explained, also noting that Darren and Dwayne had the same father, but Dwayne’s mother is different.

“From very young this boy just love cricket. He would be batting in his sleep. On mornings he pretends he playing a match with himself. At Fatima School he would carry the ball, the stumps and bat and play all day. He did well in school, but it is cricket that my son has always been about.” Darren’s mom was flown to Sabina Park the day her son made his International debut and she joined Darren and Dwayne’s dad, John Bravo, along with Dwayne’s mother, Joycelyn who also confirmed that her step son (Darren) and Dwayne have been close from little boys.

“Everyday these boys talking and playing cricket. Dwayne just use to play cricket by himself. He even used to score in a book. And I would say to Dwayne, ‘boy, who you scoring for?’ and he would say, ‘mommy I playing a game’,” she said. Darren and Dwayne’s mothers and their father were joined by their uncle and other family members at Sabina.

source: http://guardian.co.tt/sports/cricket/2009/07/03/lara-bravo-cousins-and-cricketers

Offline Jumbie

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Carter shatters 8-year CCCAN swim mark
« Reply #16 on: July 05, 2009, 05:05:50 AM »
Here's some positive from the youths of the nation....


Dylan Carter had another record gold swim while national teammates, Joshua Romany and Cadell Lyons also won gold medals for T&T. T&T swimmers bagged 12 medals on the fourth night of the 26th Central American and Caribbean Confederation Aquatics (CCCAN) Championship, swimming competition at Bolivarianas Pool, Barquisimeto, Venezuela on Friday night.

It was another good night for the record-breaking swimmers as they also won six silver, four of which came in the relays and three bronze medals to push their record medal haul to 38 (ten gold, 16 silver, 12 bronze), ten more than last year’s previous record tally of 27 medals (17 gold, eight silver, three bronze).

Carter, 12, winner of the 11-12 Boys 100 metres freestyle on Thursday doubled his gold medal tally at the six-day Championship when he won the 200 metres freestyle in two minutes, 01.46 seconds to better the eight-year-old record of two minutes, 04.39 seconds by Venezuelan Kenny Velasquez and also lower his own previous national record of two minutes, 04.11 seconds.

Second was Carter’s fierce rival, Venezuelan Andres Doria (2:04.41 mins), while Juan Vaca, another Venezuelan took bronze in 2:07.69 mins. Two events later on the night, Romany gave the travelling T&T supporters another golden swim when he won the 13-14 Boys 200 metres freestyle in one minute, 59.38 seconds. Mexico’s Fernando Santos earned the silver medal (2:00.53 mins) and Aruba’s Jemal Le Grand, bronze (2:00.85 mins). Lyons, winner of the 15-17 Boys 50 metres butterfly final on Wednesday, got his second gold medal in three days when he outswam his rivals in the 100 metres butterfly to finish in a time of 55.48 seconds.

This eclipsed his previous national record of 56.85 set last year. Second was his close friend and teammate, England-based Christian Homer (56.76 secs), while Venezuela’s Eddy Marin took bronze in 57.06. Samantha Rahael and the 13-14 Boys, 15-17 Girls, 15-17 Boys and 18 & Over Boys 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay quartets all picked up silver medals behind a dominant Venezuela contingent. Rahael, was second in the 15-17 Girls 200 metres freestyle in two minutes, 09.24 seconds well adrift of winner, El Salvador’s Pamela Benitez (2:02.28 mins) while Mirielvy Aumaitre of Venezuela got bronze in 2:10.62 mins.

In the 13-14 Boys 4 x 100 metres freestyle final, the T&T team of Keegan Boisson-Yates, Sean Roget, Kareem Baptiste and Romany combined for a time of three minutes, 46.84 seconds for the silver medal. However, the local squad suffered a minor scare after the race when Roget, who had been ill since arriving in Venezuela on Sunday, before taking his place in Friday’s team suffered a relapse and needed some medical attention before being allowed to rejoin the local contingent. Venezuela won the gold medal in three minutes, 41.42 seconds and Mexico took bronze in three minutes, 48.33 seconds.

Host Venezuela was also first home in the 15-17 Girls 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay final in four minutes, 02.21 seconds while the T&T quartet of Rahael, Kadeja Phillip, Laverne Maxwell and Cherelle Thompson got silver in four minutes, 08.98 seconds and Guatemala, bronze in four minutes, 10.28 seconds. Homer and Lyons added to their medal haul when they joined Jonathan Cabral and Ryan Rigues to post a time of three minutes, 41.92 seconds which was good enough for silver in the 15-17 Boys 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay final. Venezuela was again topped the field in three minutes, 30.98 seconds while Guatemala copped bronze in three minutes, 41.92 seconds.

And in the final event of the night, the 18 & Over Boys 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay team of Joshua Mc Leod, Strasser Sanker, Stefan Mader and Jarryd Gregoire joined the list of relay silver winners for T&T with a time of three minutes, 34.27 seconds. First home was Venezuela (3:29.49 mins) and third, Costa Rica (3:42.30 mins). Not to be left out, Kimberlee John-Williams added two bronze medals to her personal tall. The 14-year-old John-Williams first bronze on the night came in the 13-14 Girls 200 metres freestyle in two minutes, 10.99 to trail Cuban Jennifer Almageur (2:08.94 mins) and Venezuelan, Andrea Garrido (2:10.26 mins) to the wall.

The towering figure of John-Williams, returned to the pool 30 minutes later and swam to another bronze, this time in the 100 metres butterfly in one minute, 06.72 seconds. Melissa Mexia (1:03.54 mins) and Natalia Vasquez (1:06.62 mins) led a one-two finish for Mexico. The 11-12 Boys 4 x 100 metres freestyle team of Carter, Jonathan Gonzales, Jeron O’Brien and Christopher Greene also got bronze, in four minutes, 09.62 seconds. Venezuela won gold in three minutes, 50.92 minutes and Guatemala got bronze in four seconds, 03,49 seconds.

At the top of the medal table is host Venezuela, the defending champions, with an astonishing bulging bag of 103 medals (50 gold, 30 silver, 23 bronze) while Mexico is third with 29 medals (six gold, nine silver, 14 bronze) followed by Guatemala (six gold, six silver, ten bronze) and El Salvador, fifth with (five gold, three silver, three) while Barbados is sixth (four gold, eight silver and four bronze). The Venezuelans also lead the points table with 1,175 points well ahead of second placed T&T (456) while Mexico is third with 360, Guatemala, fourth with 318 and Honduras, fifth with 192 points. Swimming was expected to continue last night, while today is the last day of competition.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/sports/other-sports/2009/07/05/carter-shatters-8-year-cccan-swim-mark

Offline Jumbie

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T&T to develop cleaner fuels
« Reply #17 on: July 09, 2009, 06:25:56 AM »
Government is placing more emphasis on developing renewable resources, said Energy Minister Conrad Enill. “T&T must present itself towards cleaner fuels and alternatives of renewable energy forms as well as methods of improving energy efficiency,” he said. Enill said Government was working on legislation to ensure there is an official position on renewable energy sources. “The Government has a growing interest in developing our renewable potential. At present, preparation of a draft green paper of renewable energy is on the way.

“It is expected that the document will form the framework to guide the development and usage on renewable energy in T&T,” he said. Enill said that governments and private sector must work together to find energy solutions to ensure a healthy environment. “We took the bold step some time ago to stop refining and marketing leaded gasoline, and further steps are being undertaken to upgrade our local refinery to produce cleaner fuels.”

He was speaking yesterday at a signing of the production sharing contract (PSC) between the United Kingdom-based Centrica and the Ministry of Energy for shallow marine block 2(ab) at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel, Port-of-Spain. Enill was questioned about the safety of seismic hydrocarbon exploration and the possibility of it being environmentally unsafe. “We have organisations that are set up to ensure that for these matters.

“They get clearance from a government agency, and it is for that agency these matters need to be dealt with. “There are agencies that we have put in place to deal with that, and if the agency dealing with that makes a recommendation saying that it should not happen, then it would not happen,” he said.

source : http://guardian.co.tt/business/business/2009/07/09/tt-develop-cleaner-fuels


Offline Jumbie

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Junior cyclist Phillip elated about feats.
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2009, 08:36:12 AM »
Three-time Pan American Junior gold medallist Njisane Phillip admits that he is yet to fully absorb the magnitude of his accomplishments at the Pan Am Junior Cycling Championships held in Mexico, last week. Speaking at the Piarco International Airport where he and the rest of his history making team were the recipients of a grand welcome, Phillip said, “It didn’t really hit me yet. I know that I wanted to do well but nothing could have prepared me for this feeling that I have right now.”

He pointed out that he used his disappointing performance at last year’s Championship in Ecuador as a major motivating factor. His inexperience saw him return with a silver medal in the Match Sprint and a bronze in the Keirin. Phillip added, “Last year I was not really prepared in terms of experience so I got squeezed out of the medals which I should have had.” He pointed to local events such as the Easter Grand Prix in May and Beacon Cycling Festival in June as being vital in him getting ready for the Championships.

“This year I started my preparation a bit earlier. I focused on riding against experienced guys like Elisha Greene and Chris Sellier, trying to get a feel of how they as professionals raced. “Coming up against them in local competitions earlier this year and other guys when I went to the USA for training, really helped.” Phillip, 18, who pedalled to gold medals in the Match Sprint, one kilometre Time Trial and the Keirin as well as helping T&T to win a bronze in the Team Sprint also, indicated that the support from his teammates was also a huge factor in his great performances.

“As a team we really supported each other over the last few days. Every morning, guys who didn’t even have to race on some days, were getting up before 6 am to support those who did, at the track. That was a major boost and that team spirit was great for everyone’s confidence.” Other members of T&T’s bronze medal winning team were Tireef Smart and Quincy Alexander. Alexander, 15, is T&T’s youngest ever participant at the Pan Am Juniors and is also this country’s youngest ever medalist at the Championships.

Another major accomplishment at the championship came from Varun Maharaj in the Points Race where he became the first national cyclist to complete the 72-lap event. Phillip, will next be in action against the world’s best at the Junior World Championships scheduled for August 11 in Moscow, Russia.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/sports/other-sports/2009/07/22/junior-cyclist-phillip-elated-about-feats

Offline Midknight

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2009, 09:39:15 AM »
Ah hope this doh end up like Kurt Allen song "Is only sports" eh?  ::)

Anyway, I like the thread, not because I doh believe nothing bad doh happen, but because ah get sick of reading the papers..

Run the thing...
Go Black if you want Jack to Track Back! I support all Soca Warriors - Red, White and Blacklisted.

D baddest SW compilation ever

Offline Jumbie

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Exocubs excels on world stage
« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2009, 05:59:22 AM »
The junior arm of the Sagicor Exodus Steel Orchestra, Exocubs, has copped first place in the Indigenous Instruments category at the 38th International Youth & Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.

The annual event, which took place this year from July 11 to 14, brings together orchestras and music ensembles from around the world to compete at the invitation of Austria’s Association of International Cultural Exchange. Attending the festival with support from the RBTT Education Foundation, Exocubs won with its rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave and the Mighty Sparrow’s The Slave.

Robert de Silva, chairman of the RBTT Education Foundation, and president, RBTT Bank Eastern Caribbean, commended the group on its performance and noted the benefits of an experience of this magnitude. “Exocubs had the opportunity to perform on the world stage and witness superlative performances by other young people around the globe,” said de Silva. “This is the kind of exposure that encourages our young people to believe in themselves and what they can achieve, and motivates them to aspire to even greater things.”

Since its inception in 2000, Exocubs has developed an impressive résumé. The group won the Junior Panorama and Junior Steelpan Festival titles twice between 2001 and 2005; copped the 2004 World Senior Steelband Festival title and, in 2006 and 2008, hosted Exo-llence I and II, a concert showcasing the group’s repertoire. Individuals within the group have also performed well, winning solo, duet, and quartet titles at the 2000 and 2002 World Senior Steelpan Festival; the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Junior Steelpan Festival; and the 2003 Caribbean Junior Steelpan Championship. Exocubs comprises approximately 100 boys and girls ranging in age from five to 21.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/07/24/exocubs-excels-world-stage

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Offline Themanfriday

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #21 on: July 24, 2009, 08:25:21 AM »
Now this makes me proud. So proud I can cry  :'(

Niceness
Born in SanDo
Raised in Marabella and Gasparillo
Lived in Philly
Join the US Army
Moved to Oklahoma
Deployed to Bosnia
Stayed in Hungary
Retired In Germany
Was at the WC
Cheering for Latapy
Deployed to Kosovo
Y? I don't know
Moved back to America
To live in Virginia
Retired age 44
This is my life

Offline Babalawo

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #22 on: July 31, 2009, 05:41:14 PM »
Dem could order some smaller choppers too, to land on the hills of deigo martin or any small road that air assistance for police needed. Not needing a helipad.  These are more made for transportation like if you dying in siparia from snake bite you can get flown to a bigger hospital. and Helipads have to be built in many access locations around.


Trinidad and Tobago Orders Four AW139 Helicopters


12:58 GMT, July 31, 2009 AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the government of Trinidad and Tobago has signed a contract to purchase four AW139 medium twin turbine helicopters. Trinidad and Tobago's Air Guard (TTAG) will establish a dedicated unit to use these helicopters for search and rescue, surface surveillance, law enforcement, drug interdiction and disaster relief operations.The contract also includes an extensive training and logistical support service for the first five years.  The contract, comprising the aircraft and support package, is valued at US$348 million.

A consortium involving AgustaWestland, Bristow Caribbean, FB Heliservices of UK and Helidex of USA will be established to manage the AW139 programme in Trinidad and Tobago with training services to be supplied in Italy, the UK and the USA. Operations will primarily take place from Piarco International Airport and from offshore patrol vessels, working in conjunction with the Coast Guard.

This order marks the establishment of the first Search and Rescue helicopter unit in the country.

Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted that the Trinidad and Tobago has selected the AW139 to meet its search and rescue and homeland security requirements. This purchase demonstrates the continued success of the AW139 platform worldwide and in the Central America and Caribbean markets where we see good business opportunities in the future”.

The TTAG joins a number of AW139 operators worldwide including the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Italian Coast Guard, the Japanese Coast Guard, the Korean Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in selecting the AW139 for their SAR missions.

The AW139 is the best selling medium twin-engine helicopter in the world. To date, almost 440 orders for this helicopter have been placed by nearly 120 customers in more than 40 countries for a wide variety of applications including EMS/SAR, law enforcement, offshore transport, VIP/corporate transport, fire fighting, utility and other commercial and government roles.

The state-of-the-art AW139 is designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation. It offers unmatched performance and safety levels as well as the largest cabin in its class. Large sliding doors enable quick and easy access for fast rope activities. With a maximum cruise speed of 165 kts (306 km/h), a maximum range of 573 nm (1061 km) and over 5 hours endurance, the AW139 helicopter offers best-in-class mission capability.

Cutting-edge mission-dedicated technology and equipment and outstanding performance features enable the AW139 to accomplish the most demanding operations in the harshest weather and environmental conditions.
 
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Offline fari

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2009, 08:38:00 AM »
Faith's surgery hailed a success; Narace 'happy'
Kim Boodram

Saturday, August 1st 2009

   
I'M VERY COMFORTABLE: Health Minister Jerry Narace, left, and Dr Neil Peters, Medical Chief of Staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), listen as Maureen Davis, mother of injured baby Faith, speaks after her daughter's surgery. At right is Faith's father, Earl Davis. - Photo: Robert Taylor

Tiny baby Faith Davis was visited yesterday by Health Minister, Jerry Narace, who said that surgery performed on her injured right hand had been "successful".

At one-month-old, Faith underwent surgery yesterday at the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex, after suffering what doctors called extravasation injuries, or cellular damage, when intravenous fluid leaked onto her hand.

Yesterday's procedure involved the grafting of skin onto the lesions that had formed on the baby's forearm and hand.

The incident occurred at the San Fernando General Hospital when Davis was just six days old, after she was admitted for suffering from unexplained seizures.

When the injured hand showed no signs of healing, Davis was admitted to the Paediatric Ward at Mt Hope on Thursday by her parents Earl and Maureen Davis.

Following her admittance, the baby's medical records were at first reported missing from the San Fernando General Hospital, though Minister Narace later said the records had merely been "misplaced".

Narace said yesterday that he was "very happy" with the procedure at Mt Hope, with baby Faith expected to be ready to go home in a few days.

"We are pleased to report that the operation was successful," Narace said, following a brief visit to Faith and her parents.

"It appears that everything will be all-right and we hope that she will be able to go home in a few days."

Narace said his ministry is waiting on a report on the incident and that while special attention will be paid to that report, the quality of healthcare as a whole will remain a priority.

Medical Chief of Staff at Mt Hope, Dr Neil Peters, said that baby Faith may or may not need therapy and her case will be monitored over time.

The child parents were yesterday relieved and thankful for the expedience with which their daughter's case was dealt.

Stepping out of the Paediatric Ward to speak to the media alongside Narace, both parents said they were much happier with the treatment they received at Mt Hope.

"Ever since we came here, we were treated in the best way," Earl Davis said.

"The treatment we were given here is much better than what we had before. We hope that other institutions in the country can follow Mt Hope. We were a lot more comfortable here."

The couple thanked all those who supported and were especially happy with staff at Mt Hope.

Faith's injury was a painful reminder to the Davises of previous run-in with officials at the San Fernando General Hospital. Seven years ago, their son Brandon Davis died shortly after birth and after what the couple said was a normal, full-term pregnancy.

It was this tragedy that heightened Maureen Davis' nervousness during Faith's surgery yesterday.

Earl Davis said his family, which includes five other children, would prefer not to have to return to the San Fernando facility in the future. The couple are also planning to go ahead with plans to sue the Southwest Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), through their attorney Anand Ramlogan.

In a press conference after the incident, SFGH Medical Chief of Staff, Stephen Ramroop, said baby Faith's injuries may have been directly related to her seizures.

Offline Deeks

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #24 on: August 05, 2009, 08:27:24 AM »

This article taken from the Express. The Michael Cooper mentioned in the article is Coops brother.


The lights of Laventille
Keith Smith EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Monday, August 3rd 2009

   

It is the eve of yesterday' s steelband festival street parade in Laventille, slated to have started where McAlister Street meets the Eastern Main Road and, as I write, I am hoping that this local landmark event would be as incident-free as the previous nine, my two-finger typing approach stopped in its tracks by the thought:

"Yuh mean is ten years already!"

Indeed! Ten years in which, if I am to believe the Laventille Steelband Foundation organisers (and, why, pray should I not) the event has grown to become "the largest steelband event outside of Panorama," attracting steelbands "from the expanded catchment area of Belmont, Gonzales, St Ann's, East Port of Spain, Laventille, Morvant, Barataria and San Juan".

Having had a much more minimalist view of Laventille (the Laventille of my life being Success Village and not even including the "Hill" of Desperadoes fame) I paused as I read the programme of the foundation's special awards function, but I found myself nodding when the chairman, the formidable Michael Cooper, because "because everything bad that happens there is Laventille."

(Once I chided my columnist colleague Kevin Baldeosingh for placing "Laventille Road" in Laventille when, in fact, it happened to be in San Juan, to which he countered something to the effect that nobody knew where Laventille began and where it ended and here was the area's "Foundation" making, in way, the very point.

My friend, Mr Cooper, may have exaggerated somewhat but I continue to be struck by the way "Laventille" has become something of a metaphor for gangland mayhem and, more egregiously, murder, Mike making the differential point:

"Within this community lies the highest population of steelbands per capita in the world, the highest population of Soca Warriors and it was my honour to have been seated at the function (Thursday, July 23, 2009) held in the ever-supportive Angostura's shimmering "Glass House" next to Russell Latapy, arguably, the greatest Soca Warrior of them all, (Dwight Yorke, let me tell you, being the last to argue).

"And we will establish tonight," Cooper carrying on, "the highest population per capita of incumbent Ministers of Government." Well, you can make of that last what you like but it added to the chairman's amazement that, in spite of all that, "to most of Trinidad and the world, we are better known as a criminal factory."

Which is not to say that Laventillians are not repulsed by the crime that does exist in their midst but as the former footballer-turned-successful-businessman was to argue on what, after all, was a night of collective celebration:

"Tonight we celebrate our "Gems of Laventille, Outstanding Spirit and Soul" because if you are guided by the media, the majority of the people residing in our communities are deviant.

The fact is the opposite. Over the last ten years we have sought to project this by recognising our many successes. And tonight it gets even better. We are proud to hold up to the national community and the world, the products of our communities (and there are many more where these came from).

Tonight we showcase brilliance, excellence, resilience, determination and performance of the highest standards anywhere from people who came from the bowels of our communities.

"Our young people (and older folks) must know what these communities have produced and be inspired to know that they too can achieve as much as they dare to dream. This is our hope that the bright side of us will receive more projection and reduce the impact of the darkness.

The Laventille Steelband Festival Foundation is extremely grateful for the graciousness and esteem that tonight's awardees have brought to Laventille and environs in accepting our invitation to be honoured. It represents to us a shared responsibility for seeking a way forward and another ray of hope."

And it is on this note that I will continue tomorrow and, indeed, for the rest of the week if I am not careful.

Offline Jumbie

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Hummingbird Gold for maestro Boogsie
« Reply #25 on: August 31, 2009, 08:34:17 AM »
Hummingbird Gold for maestro Boogsie


Master pan arranger and composer Len Boogsie Sharpe says he feels honoured by the Hummingbird Medal Gold for culture, which will be bestowed on him tonight. “This award is not for me alone, but for the pan fraternity and pan lovers,” he said in a brief telephone interview yesterday. “Thanks to my family and children and the people of T&T,” he added. St James-born Boogsie is one of T&T’s most gifted talents in the steelband arena. With 40 years-plus in the music industry, he has arranged for many calypsonians, vocalists and steelbands in T&T and the Caribbean, North America and Europe, and has been composer/arranger at Phase II Pan Grove since the 1970s.

Source / Fulll Article: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/08/31/hummingbird-gold-maestro-boogsie

Offline Jumbie

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Vera graduates with law degree
« Reply #26 on: September 06, 2009, 09:18:56 PM »

Vera Bhajan, 22, the young woman from Felicity, Chaguanas, who was born without arms, has graduated from University of the West Indies (UWI) with a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB). Bhajan was celebrated by members of her community on Friday at the Shri Krishen Mandir for her achievement.

Members of the temple presented her with a “Pioneer Award” and a gold chain for making her community proud. Bhajan gained media attention in 1994, when she was just six years old, as a youth who was determined to succeed, despite her physical condition, using her feet to eat, write, and later, to use a computer. In 2004, Prime Minister Patrick Manning promised the former St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS) student a scholarship to complete her studies, but that was not forthcoming until 2007.

But days before leaving to go to Barbados to start classes, Bhajan was traumatised, since the Government did not fulfil its promise of providing a scholarship, some two years after making a commitment to do so, said Iman Iqubal Hydal, a Muslim cleric and community member. He said former Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams came aboard later and assisted. Hydal said everyone should follow the example of Bhajan, and seek out their own special strengths to overcome obstacles and succeed. She had received the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) in 2005. After attaining seven CXC O-Level and four Cape passes at SAGHS, she attended the St Augustine campus of the UWI for her first year of law studies, and subsequently relocated to Barbados for the final two years of the programme at the Cave Hill Campus. Her mother, Rahdai Bhajan, also went to Barbados to help her, while her father remained in T&T.

Bhajan is now hoping to attend Hugh Wooding Law School in T&T. She told the gathering on Friday that words could not describe how thankful she was to her parents, who never viewed her as a burden at any time. She also said community members treated her with the utmost love and care throughout her life. On this note, she called on communities throughout T&T to follow the example set by the people of Felicity and the Shri Krishen Mandir to ensure that youth are inspired and encouraged on the road to success. Deputy Mayor Orlando Nagessar said the education system should use Bhajan as an example to inspire learners. He said there were many young people who had all the resources, yet did not have the inspiration to aim for success.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/09/06/vera-graduates-law-degree
Author: Shastri Boodan

Offline WestCoast

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #27 on: September 06, 2009, 11:41:53 PM »
Vera, well done
Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it thoroughly, not superficially. Go to the bottom of things. Any thing half done, or half known, is in my mind, neither done nor known at all. Nay, worse, for it often misleads.
Lord Chesterfield
(1694 - 1773)

Offline weary1969

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #28 on: September 07, 2009, 11:49:31 AM »
Today you're the dog, tomorrow you're the hydrant - so be good to others - it comes back!"

Offline Brownsugar

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Re: Positive news from the home front.
« Reply #29 on: September 07, 2009, 05:57:46 PM »
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

 

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